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Big Ten Football Week 8 Preview: Hawkeyes And Badgers Look To Stay In Contention

We’re roughly halfway through the college football season. So far, the Big Ten has been dominated by the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 3 Michigan Wolverines. However, the No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers have also surprised folks with a 6-0 record. Along with the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers (4-2), the Big Ten has four teams in the Top 10, but the rest of the league is invisible in the national picture.

There aren’t many intriguing matchups entering Saturday. According to CBS Sports, 4 of the 7 Big Ten games have a point spread of at least 17 points. Fortunately, big point spreads can always set the stage for monumental upsets. However, the games may get out of hand early.

Must Read: Big Ten Football Week 7 Rankings.

For example, the last time the Wolverines took the field, they stormed passed an inferior Rutgers team. The 78-0 victory led the Wolverines into the bye week, so they should be well-rested and ready to go. On Saturday, they are a 36.5 favorite over Illinois. The Fighting Illini recently earned their first FBS victory of the season over the same Rutgers squad. The Fighting Illini have a defensive front to keep things interesting in the first half.

The most intriguing game of the weekend should be Iowa’s showdown against Wisconsin. Both teams have two losses, but they have arrived at their destination in different ways. Coming into the season, the Badgers were almost certain to be facing a Top 10 Hawkeyes team this weekend. Meanwhile, some pundits figured the Badgers might have four losses at this points. Instead, the Hawkeyes suffered a pair of early losses, while the Badgers opened the season with two Top 10 wins. Although they have lost their last two games, everybody has been impressed by the Badgers’ performances. However, there won’t be any moral victories for Wisconsin this week. Due to their two conference losses, the Badgers are in a must-win game. Currently, they are 3.5 point favorites over the Hawkeyes.

The closest point spread comes between a pair of .500 teams. The Indiana Hoosiers and Northwestern Wildcats are at 1.5 points. Both teams have lost to the undefeated Huskers at home. The Hoosiers also lost to the Buckeyes. Both teams have given non-conference games away in dramatic fashion. Currently, the Wildcats are on a two-game winning streak. Therefore, the winner will be on the right track, while the loser of this game will have to scrap for a Bowl bid.

When the Maryland Terrapins and Michigan State Spartans kickoff, both teams will be in desperation mode. The Spartans are on a four-game losing streak, while the Terrapins have lost two straight. Conceivably, it’s the Spartans’ last chance to make a Bowl game. More importantly, they need this game to even think about having a winning season. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a shock if the former Big Ten champions lose the rest of their games.

The most important game of the Big Ten Football Week 8 preview comes in Happy Valley. The last time J.T. Barrett and company visited Penn State, the Buckeyes were taken to overtime. They survived and eventually won the inaugural College Football Playoff. Can the Nittany Lions knock off the Buckeyes this time? If the Buckeyes are unable to get their passing game in sync, Saturday’s showdown could get tricky. Still, the Buckeyes are heavy favorites.

Big Ten Football Week 8 Preview: Spreads, Time, TV

No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers (4-2) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2) +3.5

Time: 12:00

TV: ESPN

 

Indiana Hoosiers (3-3) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (3-3) -1.5

Time: 12:00

 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-5) vs. Minnesota Gophers (4-2) -17.0

Time: 12:00

TV: ESPU

 

Purdue Boilermakers (3-3) vs. No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0) -24.0

Time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ABC

 

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-4) vs. No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (6-0) -36.5

Time: 3:30 p.m.

 

Michigan State Spartans (2-4) vs. Maryland Terrapins (4-2) +2

Time: 7:30 p.m.

TV: BTN

 

No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2) +19.5

Time: 8:00 p.m.

TV: ABC

Lyle Harrison
Football Me

Lyle Harrison

Big Ten Lead Writer at The Runner Sports
William Lyle Harrison is here to provide unique insight to your overrated college football team. He currently serves as the lead writer for Big Ten Football at The Runner Sports. Since joining the company in July 2016, Harrison has displayed a passion for sports that's been present since the early age of six.

Harrison has covered NFL, NBA, and CBB in the past. Earlier in his career, he was a national college football writer and Team writer for Husker Corner. Harrison also created the college football "Treat 16 Power Poll" some years back when college coaches relied on the running game.
Lyle Harrison
Football Me

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